In This Issue:
- Metro Cities Policy Adoption Meeting: Mark Your Calendar!
- Metro Transit Safety and Security Update
- Metropolitan Council Community Development 2023-2028 Capital Program
Metro Cities Policy Adoption Meeting: Mark Your Calendar!
Metro Cities’ legislative policies will receive final adoption at Metro Cities’ Policy Adoption Meeting on Thursday, November 17th at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be virtual and will feature guest speakers Brian Bakst, MN Public Radio, and Briana Bierschbach, Star Tribune, who will discuss the November elections. Legislative policies will be posted for review once they are adopted by the Board of Directors in October, and in advance of the policy adoption meeting. More information to follow soon—please mark your calendar! Questions? Email Jennifer Dorn at [email protected].
Metro Transit Safety and Security Update
Representatives from Metro Transit came before the Metropolitan Council this week to deliver their quarterly report on the agency’s Safety & Security Action Plan. The plan was developed following a Citizens League Transit Safety engagement effort and a Council-led Metro Transit Police Work Group.
The discussion began with Interim Police Chief Rick Grates providing recent data on calls for services, ridership, types of crimes occurring on the system, the frequency of code of conduct violations, and how officers are being deployed to tackle these issues. Chief Grates also spoke about challenges with recruitment and retention and the steps Metro Transit is taking to attract candidates and retain currently employed officers.
Metro Transit staff described the status of 40 action items cited in the Safety & Security Action Plan, most of which are in the “planning” or “in progress” stage. Action items are divided into three areas:
- Improving Conditions on the System
- Training and Supporting Employees
- Engaging Customers and Partners
Click HERE to view presentation materials, which contain more detailed policing data and information on specific action items in the plan. Click HERE to view the full report. Metro Transit staff will be back before the Council in December for a Quarter 4 report.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Metropolitan Council Community Development 2023-2028 Capital Program
Metropolitan Council Community Development staff presented a proposed 2023-2028 Capital Program to the Community Development committee on Monday. Last week, capital programs for transportation and environmental services were also presented at their corresponding committees. The Capital Program for Community Development builds on the already approved 2022-2027 Capital Program and plans for capital improvements for the Family Affordable Housing Program as well as regional parks. Future spending in the 2023-2028 CIP for the Family Affordable Housing Program totals $1.5 million and is funded through a General Purposes Levy and rental property income.
The capital budget for the regional parks is largely based on state and federal funding including the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund, Environmental & Natural Resources Trust Fund, and bonding. Funding is distributed to the regional park system’s implementing agencies using a formula.
Like the other capital programs, this Capital Program will be released for public comment later this fall, with final adoption scheduled for consideration in mid-December. Click HERE to view the presentation materials from Monday’s meeting.